Slider



Jul 7, 1931. G, w, BLAIR 1,813,227

SLIDER Filed April :5, 1926 y Jim/@315 Patented July 7, 1931 UNITEDSTATES GEORGE W. BLAIR, 0F MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, -ASSIGNOR 'IO MISHAWAKARUBBER M radar OFFICE AND WOOLEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MISHAWAKA,INDIANA, A CORPORA- TION OF INDIANA Application filed April 3,

My invention has reference more particularly to operating members whichslide along opposed series of fastener elements and interlock theopposed series of elements by movement in one direction and release theelements by movement in the reverse direction.

In sliders or operating members of this character, it is necessary toconstruct the member so that it is strong and rigid and it is at thesame time desirable that it be small and compact. It is also importantto provide a finger grip for actuating the slider which is arranged soas to push and pull the slider without tilting or cramping on the,elements and to form the finger grip and attach same so that projectionsare not required on the outer face of the slider body and so that thefinger grip fits close against the-slider body.

The principal objects of my invention are to construct the slider bodyin a neat and compact form; to insure ample strength and rigidity; toarrange the finger grip so that it properly controls the slider in both:directions of movement; to prevent tilting and cramping of the slider onthe series of fastener elements as it is operated therealong; to attachthe finger grip so that the operating force is applied to the sliderbetween the divergent portions of the two series of fastener elements;to permit any guiding of the slider that may be required to facilitatethe operation of interlocking or releasing the fastener elements; toarrangethe finger grip so that it folds close against the outer face ofthe slider when not inuse; to permit use of the finger grip as a leverto tilt or guide the slider along the series of fastener elements; toautomatically lock the finger pull in the outwardly extending or slideractuating position; and in general to simplify, improve and facilitatethe manufacture of sliders or operating members for slider operatedfasteners.

On the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of my slider, showing portions of the two opposedseries of fastener elements controlled thereby and with the finger griplying against the front of the slider body; l

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the finger grip raised to the operatingposition and SLIDER 1926. Serial No. 99,446.

portions of the slider body broken away to disclose details; v

Fig. 3 is a side View of the slider with the finger grip in the positionof Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar View with the finger pull raised to the position ofFig. 2;

Fig. 5 is' a sectional View of the complete slider on the line 55 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6'is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View on the line 77 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view of the upper end or pivot lug of theslider showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals 1 and 2 indicate twoopposed series of fastener elements which are; for the purpose ofillustration, shown herein in the form of coils of spiral springsarranged so that the coils of one spring enter or nest between the coilsof the other spring, the coils of one of the springs being plainconvolutions as indicated at 1, while the coils of the other spring 2are of wave-like form to afford olfset or somewhat fiat hook formationswhich serve to insure a dependable interlocking of the coils 2 betweenthe coils 1. The springs 1 and 2 aremounted in any convenient manner onthe parts which are to be connected, fragmentary portions thereof beingindi',- cated at 3 and 4.

The slider which serves to interlock the coils of the springs 1 and 2 inthe usual manner by movement in one direction along the springs and torelease same by movement in the reverse directiomconsists of two parts,namely the slider body 5 and the finger grip or actuating means 6 whichis usually grasped metal.

slider to form channels that are circular in cross section to conform tothe form of the springs 1 and 2, or they may be of other form when otherfastener elements are used, and these channels 7 and 8 merge into asingle main channel 10 at the lower end or apex of the spreader .9, saidlatter channel being widened out laterally as required to accommodatethe interlocked springs 1 and 2. At each side of the slider body thechannel 10 and branches 7 and 8 thereof have a contracted opening orslot 11, which straddles the edge of the respective part 3 or 1 to whichthe re spective springs are attached, these contracted slots or openingsbeing formed by inwardly extending edge portions 12 of the front andrear walls of the channels, said edge portions engaging against the rearsides of the springs 1 and 2 at opposite sides of the parts 3 and 4: forguiding the springs through the channels.

The formation of the inturned edge portions 12 at the time the sliderbody is made is somewhat diflicult and I prefer therefore to constructthe slider body initially with the edge portions 12 extending straightout and their inner faces substantially parallel as in my applicationSerial No. 44,638, filed July 18, 1925, and thereafter bend the edges inthe required position as shown herein.

The parts 3 and 4; are usually of fabric or some material which is nothighly resistant to wear, and the cast or molded form of slider body ispreferred as the edges of the inturned portions at opposite sides of theparts 3 and 1 may be rounded smoothly without diffi culty, as indicatedat 13, in manufacturing so as to minimize any possible wear on the parts3 and 4, whereas such rounded edges cannot be readily provided in aslider which is composed of parts stamped from sheet Moreover, the castform of slider body lends itself more readily to the shaping of same ina neat, compact and symmetrical form, and it is possible to distributethe metal so as to insure properly located and adequate reinforcingwithout irregular or abrupt formations on the exterior surfaces orwithout necessitating a cumbersome structure to afford the desiredstrengthand rigidity.

The slider body is extended beyond and between the upper ends of thedivergent channels 7 and 8 in the form of a narrow lug 14 with atransverse aperture 15 to receive the inturned ends 16 of arms at theupper end of the finger grip 6 which is bifurcated at the upper end toform said arms, and these inturned ends 16 serve to pivotally attach thefinger grip 6 to the slider body. The finger grip 6 may comprise a plateof suit able rigidity and may be of any desired form, preferably widenedout between the ends and somewhat close to. the lower end where thefinger and thumb naturally grasp same, andhas the upper end redivergentsprings 1 and 2 will not inter-.

fere with the said springs.

'The slider body 5 is moved in opposite directions respectively tointerlock and release the fasteners, and it is important that the fingergrip 6 should be attached so as to insure smooth operation of the sliderbody without bending or cramping on the fastener elements. -The pivotaperture 15 is therefore located substantially in a plane passingthrough the axes of the divergent channels 7 and 8, or approximatelymidway between the front and back of the slider, and the upper end ofthe finger grip 6 is inturned so that the said finger grip folds downagainst the outer face of the slider body in the inoperative positionandmay be lifted outwardly to an outwardly extending position as showninFigs. 2 and 4; when the slider is to be operated to interlock or releasethe fastener. WVith this construction the operating force is appliedthrough the finger grip to the slider in or quite near to the plane ofresistance to movement of the slider and the latter is thereby caused tomove smoothly and freely along the fastener elements without cramping orbending, which would occur if the finger grip were attached to the outerface of the slider or at a point considerably at one side of the planeof the channels 7 and 8. In such structures, an endwise tilting of theslider body results when operating force is applied to the finger grip,whereas it is obvious that such tilting or canting of the slider isavoided in my present construction. With this present construction aneater and more compact form also results as the finger grip 6, byreason of its manner of attachment, can fold down close against thefront of the slider body giving an entirely smooth frontdevoid of anyprojections o'r irregularities which necessarily result if. the fingergripis pivoted to the front face of the slider body.

In my present construction the front face of the slider body is belliedor convex as, shown in Figs. 3, 4: and 5 and the finger grip 6 is moreor less bent at the front of the ankle or instep, it may be desirable tohave the finger grip arranged so as to be able to steer the slideraround the bend. For this purpose the pivot lug 14 may be formed with astop 14: against which the finger grip 6 contacts in the operatingposition so that the finger grip may be used as a lever to swing thelower "end of the slider body outwardly if it should be necessary ordesirable.

If a further interlocking of the finger grip with the slider body isdesired to afford a leverage for rocking the slider in either directionwhen pushing the slider downwardly, a construction such as shown in Fig.8 may be employed, wherein the pivot opening 17 is elongated slightly inthe direction of the length of the slider body to form a short slot, inwhich inturned pivoting ends 16 of the pull member 6 are shiftablelengthwise of the.

slotted opening 17. The upper end of the lug 14 is notched as at 18, sothat the portion of the inturned lip 19 at the upper end of c the fingergrip 6 between the pivot arms of the finger grip will seat in the notch18 when the finger grip is turned to the outstretched position as shownin full lines in Fig. 8, and.

pushed downwardly.' The inturned pivots 16 0f the finger grip slideupwardly in the slot. 17 to permit the lip 19 to ride up over the upperend of the lug 14 and when this lip registers with the notch 18, thedownward push on the finger grip moves the inturned pivots 16 downwardlyin the-slot 17, and permit the lip 19 to enter the notch 18. Thus thefinger grip when raised to the outstretched position and pusheddownwardly, automatically engages in the notch 18 and holds the fingerpull against pivotal movement on the upper end of the slider body whilepushing the latter downwardly.

Moreover, the slider body 5 has the rear face bellied intermediate ofits ends or convexly formed and this not only serves t0 reinforce theslider body but it also affords a high point 20 to minimize friction ofthe slider against any backing strip such as the tongue in overshoes,and causes the slider to operate very easily. This raised center 20 alsoserves in a measure as a fulcrum to permit the slider body to rockautomatically as may be requiredto follow the course of the fastenerelements and furthermore, since the finger grip 6 is attached-near theend of the slider body, the rocking may be manually controlled bypushing in or pulling out in the finger grip which will cause the sliderbody to rock somewhat on the high center 20.

l/Vith this construction I have not only ardevice of the classdescribed, saidg'member" ranged for the application of the operating"force at the properpoint, that is, in or near to the plane of the axesofthe channels 7 and 8 so as to avoid undesirable tilting or canting ofthe slider and consequent cramping and binding on the fastener elements,but

have rendered the slider easier of operation by reducing the frictionalengagement and.

furthermore, have arranged for manual control of the slider so that itmay be readily guided or steered as may be required, so that therefromto form divergent channels merging into a single channel, said flangesbeing gradually increased in thickness from the edges to the spreaderfor reinforcingsaid flanges against separating strain.

2. An operating member for a fastening device of the class described,said member comprising front and rear wings integral with anintermediate spacer and forming apair of divergent channels at oppositesides of the spacer and meeting in a single channel at the end of thespacer, said wings being gradually increased in thickness from the edgesto the spacer for reinforcing said wings against separating strain.

3. An operating member for a fastening de vice of the class described,said member comprising a substantially wedge shaped spreader with topand bottom flanges extending outwardly therefrom to form divergentchannels merging into a single channel, said spreader having concavefaces at opposite sides forming a continuation of the curved innerfacesof the flanges and the flanges be-' ing of gradually increasedthickness from the edges to the spreader for reinforcing said flangesagainst separating strain.

4. An operating member for a fastening device of the class described,said member com prising an integral block with front and rear facesconvexly. arched from end to end and from side to side and having apair'of divergent channels therein meeting. in a common channel at oneend of the member, and a suband rear faces each having the apex ofitsarch substantially midway'between the up- .per and lower ends ofthe'member;

5.-- An operating member for a fastening of the "latter and'fcorresponding -:su'bst'an--=' v tiallytoth'e 'curvature o'fthe frontface of the operating member.

s. *In a slider iq!- interlocking 'and releas ing opposed" series "offastener elements, the

combination of ameniberhaying main 1'1- stantially V-shaped wallseparating the divergent channels, said convexly arched front nel anddivergent branches with restricted openings along the outer sides, saidmember having an extension at the end remote from the main channel andbeing bellied at opposite sides from end to end, and a finger grippivoted at one end to said extension on a transverse axis substantiallyin the plane of the axes of the divergent branch channels, said fingergrip comprising a plate adapted to hang down against the front face ofthe member and arched to conform substantially to the bellied form ofthe front of the member.

7. An operating member for a fastening device of the class described,said member comprising a one piece block having a pair of flanges at thefront and back respectively extending outwardly at each side and at oneend and defining a pair of divergent channels merging into asinglechannel at said end, the outer portions of said side flangesextending inwardly toward one another with their inner edges spaced to.form a restricted slot at the outer side of each divergent channel, andsaid flanges being gradually increased in thickness from the lateraledges to the center of the slider.

8. In a slider for interlocking and releasing opposed series of fastenerelements, the combination of a member having a main channel. anddiver-gent branches with restricted openings along the outer sides, anda finger grip pivoted at its end to the member between the divergentbranch channels and on an axis substantially in the plane of the axes ofthedivergent channels, and means for limiting the pivotal movement ofthe finger grip when the latter is swung to a position projectingoutwardly from the member.

9. In a slider for interlocking and releasing opposed series of fastenerelements, the combination of a member having a main channel anddivergent branches with restricted openings along the outer sides, and

a finger grip pivoted at its end to the member between the divergentbranch channels and stricted openings along the outer sides, a fingergrip pivoted to the member, and interengaging means on the finger gripand member operable by pressure on the former to lock the finger grip inan outstanding position on said member.

12. In a slider for interlocking and releasing opposed series offastener elements, the combination of amember having a main channel anddivergent branches with restricted openings along the outer sides, afinger grip pivoted to the member for sliding the latter along theseries of fastener elements, and means for interlocking the finger gripwith the member against relative pivotal movement with the finger gripin a position extending outwardly from the front of the member, saidfinger grip being interlocked with the member in said position bypressure on the finger grip in a direction to slide the member'along theseries of elements.

.secting ends of thechannels and unites the portions of the body aboveand below the channels and the portions of the body above and below thechannels being gradually decreased in thickness from the V-shaped wallto the outer sides of the channels, and a finger pull having a pivotalconnection with the said body.

' GEORGE W. BLAIR.

on an axis substantially in the plane of the axes of the divergentchannels, and a stop adapted to be engaged by the finger grip when thelatter is swung outwardly from the member.

10. In a slider for interlocking and releasing opposed series offastener elements, the combination of a member having a main channel anddivergent branches with restricted openings along the outer sides, a

finger grip pivoted to the member for sliding the latter along theseries of fastener elements, and interlocking means on the member andfinger grip for holding the latter in an outwardly extending position atthe g front of the member.

ll.' In a slider for interlocking and releasing opposed series offastener elements, the combination of a member having a main channel anddivergent branches with re-

